Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Sélection Belles Années NV 750ml

The most floral and rounded of this year's multi-vintage Blanc de Blancs offerings from Gimonnet, the NV Champagne Selection Belles Années Brut is composed of 60% from the 2019 vintage, with reserve wines from 2010 to 2018, and as with the previous wines, it was raised without the use of oak. It pours a pale straw hue and lifts from the glass with notes of honeysuckle, ripe pear, fresh melon, bread dough, and wet stone. It carries to the palate seamlessly, with balanced mid-palate ripeness that makes for a more complete wine. It has balanced tension through the finish and a lovely core of concentration, leaving behind a mouthwatering and mineral-tinged finish. Drink 2024-2034. Disgorged February 2022.

A rich and creamy Champagne defined by lively acidity, with anise, pastry cream and salted almond notes, and fruit flavors of baked apricot and lemon curd. Minerally finish. Disgorged December 2019. Drink now through 2023.

This release of the Selection des Belles Années, based on 2013, is brisk and expressive, with an alluring combination of energy and richness. In the glass, the Belles Années is a touch compact, but a bit of bottle age should help. Wonderfully persistent and inviting, the Belles Années has so much to offer. This release is 80% 2013 Gastronome, with 20% reserve wines. Dosage is 5.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 19, 2018.